A Map of the World
by Jane Hamilton, Frank Muller, C.J. Critt
A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton, Frank Muller, C.J. Critt holds a well received rating of 3.78 out of 5, based on 61.3K reader ratings. First published in 1992. The book spans 400 pages.
About A Map of the World
One unremarkable June morning, Alice Goodwin is, as usual, trying to keep in check both her temper and her tendency to blame herself for her family's shortcomings. When the Goodwins took over the last dairy farm in the small Midwestern town of Prairie Center, they envisioned their home a self-made paradise. But these days, as Alice is all too aware, her elder daughter Emma is prone to inexplicable fits of rage, her husband Howard distrusts her maternal competence, and Prairie Center's tight-knit suburban community shows no signs of warming to "those hippies who think they can run a farm." A loner by nature, Alice is torn between a yearning for solitude coupled with a deep need to be at the center of a perfect family. On this particular day, Emma has started the morning with a violent tantrum, her little sister Claire is eating pennies, and it is Alice's turn to watch her neighbor's two small girls as well as her own. She absentmindedly steals a minute alone that quickly becomes ten: time enough for a devastating accident to occur. Her neighbor's daughter Lizzy drowns in the farm's pond, and Alice - whose own volatility and unmasked directness keep her on the outskirts of acceptance - becomes the perfect scapegoat. At the same time, a seemingly trivial incident from Alice's past resurfaces and takes on gigantic proportions, leading the Goodwins far from Lizzy's death into a maze of guilt and doubt culminating in a harrowing court trial and the family's shattering downfall.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Jane Hamilton, Frank Muller, C.J. Critt |
| Published | 1992 |
| Pages | 400 |
| Genres | Fiction, Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.78 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 61,347 |
Reader Ratings & Analysis
Rating Overview
How It Compares
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is A Map of the World?
A Map of the World is categorized as Fiction, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Fiction.
Is A Map of the World worth reading?
Based on 61.3K reader ratings, A Map of the World has an average score of 3.78 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received." Its large number of reviews suggests broad reader appeal.
How many pages is A Map of the World?
A Map of the World has 400 pages.
Who wrote A Map of the World?
A Map of the World was written by Jane Hamilton, Frank Muller, C.J. Critt. It was first published in 1992.
What is the ISBN for A Map of the World?
The ISBN-13 for A Map of the World is 9780385720110.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
